War Cam Eagle?

[Big Mac]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5765214

[waroriole]

This is a damn shame. The shame being that this report is going to drag Cam's name through the mud without the slightest bit of evidence that Cam did anything wrong. Auburn's compliance director is very tough, and very quick to hold players out at the slightest appearance of impropriety. He's let Cam play all season, and Coach Chizik stated very emphatically last night that Cam is eligible to play. Hopefully, this isn't a distraction, and the reports come out that say Cam is completely innocent.

[Hawkigizer]

And now the reports that Urban Meyer is behind this story coming to the public. The guy is getting so much flack for letting Newton go, that he wants to drag his name through the mud, just so he looks better. Disgusting. If people actually did some research on this subject other than what ESPN & Fox Sports is telling you, you'd find that it has the makings of a smear campaign.

Auburn has known about this investigation since July, and did their own investigation to make sure none of their people had contact with this Kenny Rogers dope. Nothing was found, and they deemed him eligible. No way in hell he would've touched a football field if he was ineligible.

This Kenny Rogers dude has been under investigation by the NFL for a while now. His company is currently bankrupt. The guy is a crook. And guess where he's from?...yes thats right, Tuscaloosa. Yet it's Cam Newton and Auburn that get the dirt all over them and suffer for this without any shred of evidence. Ridiculous.

[waroriole]

And now the reports that Urban Meyer is behind this story coming to the public. The guy is getting so much flack for letting Newton go, that he wants to drag his name through the mud, just so he looks better. Disgusting. If people actually did some research on this subject other than what ESPN & Fox Sports is telling you, you'd find that it has the makings of a smear campaign.

Auburn has known about this investigation since July, and did their own investigation to make sure none of their people had contact with this Kenny Rogers dope. Nothing was found, and they deemed him eligible. No way in hell he would've touched a football field if he was ineligible.

This Kenny Rogers dude has been under investigation by the NFL for a while now. His company is currently bankrupt. The guy is a crook. And guess where he's from?...yes thats right, Tuscaloosa. Yet it's Cam Newton and Auburn that get the dirt all over them and suffer for this without any shred of evidence. Ridiculous.

I heard "through the grapevine" about Urban being behind this, but I haven't seen it reported anywhere. It certainly wouldn't suprise me in the least, as he is pure scum.

[Hawkigizer]

Rivals reported it, and Finebaum picked up on it too...take that for what it's worth.

Dan Mullen want to sit on it and let it go, but Meyer convinced all involved to take it public. That's the story anyway. My God, I would love an Auburn/Florida SEC title game.

[waroriole]

Rivals reported it, and Finebaum picked up on it too...take that for what it's worth.

Dan Mullen want to sit on it and let it go, but Meyer convinced all involved to take it public. That's the story anyway. My God, I would love an Auburn/Florida SEC title game.

Yeah, I just saw what Finebaum said. Of course, I wouldn't believe a word he said either. I'll have to check out what Rivals said, since there is a reputable source covering this now.

[waroriole]

Here's a good article that tells more of the story, and has rational conclusions. Obviously, it is biased as it comes from a site called "WarBlogEagle" but the only facts being offered are reported by other sites too.

http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/11/point-a-to-point-b-and-what-lies-between/

[Pedro Cerrano]

I don't get why people are shocked at this if it does happen to be true. I bet there is an insane amount of money/goods that change hands at the collegiate level.

Newton, Reggie Bush, Chris Webber, all these scum bag agents preying on college athletes that come from poor backgrounds.

The NCAA needs to address this.

[square634]

No one has said that Newton was paid to go to Auburn have they? They just said that this agent guy asked Mississippi State for $180k, claimed that he had an offer of $200k elsewhere, and spoke to Newton's father several times. So, it's true that there is no evidence that Auburn paid him anything, but you have to admit that it warrants further investigation.

[waroriole]

No one has said that Newton was paid to go to Auburn have they? They just said that this agent guy asked Mississippi State for $180k, claimed that he had an offer of $200k elsewhere, and spoke to Newton's father several times. So, it's true that there is no evidence that Auburn paid him anything, but you have to admit that it warrants further investigation.

No doubt it does warrant further investigation. However, the SEC and NCAA have known about this since at least July and Newton has played every game and been at every practice.

My problem with alot of this is the conclusions being drawn by knuckleheads that Cam is clearly guilty. Some idiot at foxsports.com posted an article urging everyone to not vote for Cam for Heisman. He has no facts to support that Cam or Auburn have done anything wrong, but hey people will pay attention to him b/c he took a strong stance. Also, there was some guy in Orlando saying he won't vote for Cam because he lacks integrity. It would really be a shame if this cost Cam the Heisman and it turned out to be nothing.

[Pedro Cerrano]

No doubt it does warrant further investigation. However, the SEC and NCAA have known about this since at least July and Newton has played every game and been at every practice.

My problem with alot of this is the conclusions being drawn by knuckleheads that Cam is clearly guilty. Some idiot at foxsports.com posted an article urging everyone to not vote for Cam for Heisman. He has no facts to support that Cam or Auburn have done anything wrong, but hey people will pay attention to him b/c he took a strong stance. Also, there was some guy in Orlando saying he won't vote for Cam because he lacks integrity. It would really be a shame if this cost Cam the Heisman and it turned out to be nothing.

No doubt I agree with this but if it turns out he is guilty (saying "if") do you think he will deserve the win the Heisman? Do you think he would be deemed ineligible?

[waroriole]

No doubt I agree with this but if it turns out he is guilty (saying "if") do you think he will deserve the win the Heisman? Do you think he would be deemed ineligible?

If he took money, then, no, he wouldn't deserve to win the Heisman and should be ineligible. But, like I said, my problem is with all the people who are already making this conclusion with basically no evidence to support it.

[square634]

If he took money, then, no, he wouldn't deserve to win the Heisman and should be ineligible. But, like I said, my problem is with all the people who are already making this conclusion with basically no evidence to support it.

Well I think the integrity thing has to do with the laptop incident.

Also, here's a hypothetical: What if Newton and his dad really did ask the agent to try to get them money, but no schools were willing to do it? Does that mean anything even if he never got paid?

[waroriole]

Well I think the integrity thing has to do with the laptop incident.

Also, here's a hypothetical: What if Newton and his dad really did ask the agent to try to get them money, but no schools were willing to do it? Does that mean anything even if he never got paid?

1. Maybe so, but I wonder if this same guy will vote for James.

2. I don't know if that is a violation or not. I certainly wouldn't think as highly of Newton if that were the case.

[waroriole]

When God be blessin, the devil be messin.

Well said Cam.

[CrimsonTribe]

There's a lot of strange coincidences in this story. I'm not going to call Cam dirty yet, but I'm not ready to say he (or his family) is clean either.

[scottbbfm]

All I know is that Cam is an Orioles fan

http://family.auburn.edu/

[waroriole]

All I know is that Cam is an Orioles fan

http://family.auburn.edu/

And I didn't think I could like Cam any more than I already do.

[scottbbfm]

And I didn't think I could like Cam any more than I already do.

I know, AUsome right?

I'm kind of disapointed I didn't know about this thread...I need to make sure I'm monitoring the rest of the site.

That said - I think this is going to turn into an SEC situation...not an Auburn situation. Slive will end up with a decree that everyone needs to keep their mouths shut when it comes to other teams business.

Also, Chizik isn't the type of guy to run up a score, but if there's an opportunity to do so against UF in the SECCG, I think he just may do it...he's that enraged.

btw...any other Auburn (or SEC) fans should visit aufamily.net
And if you are in the Baltimore area and want to do a game watch - PM me.

[Big Mac]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5786315

More allegations against the Camburglar...

[CrimsonTribe]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5786315

More allegations against the Camburglar...

It just keeps getting better.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I don't know if there's reason to call 911 yet, but there's an AWFUL lot of smoke in the air around this...

[Pedro Cerrano]

I posted on my facebook page. The over/under for when Newton has to return his Heisman is July 17, 2012.

[CrimsonTribe]

I don't know if there's reason to call 911 yet, but there's an AWFUL lot of smoke in the air around this...

A quote from the Bama blog Capstone Report sums up the developments so far pretty well for me.


Auburn Fambly, don’t worry.

ESPN’s Joe Schad, Mark Schlabach, Pat Forde and Chris Lowe, along with the New York Times, FoxSports, TMZ, Sports Illustrated, the and the presence of the NCAA and now the FBI are all wrong.

http://capstonereport.com/2010/11/10/report-newton-the-money-was-too-much/9835/

Or you could just go with EDSBS's take:


So put [Schad] on the vast anti-Auburn conspiracy wagon along with Mark Schlabach, Pat Forde, Chris Low, the New York Times, Thayer Evans, the FBI, John Bond, the Gnomes of Zurich, the Trilateral Commission, the Jews, penguins (THE ANTARCTIC MENACE, EVER WADDLING FORWARD,) the NCAA, Alabama, the ghost of Logan Young, Terry Bowden's man-girdle, a snickering Tommy Tuberville, and France. Why France? JUST BECAUSE, that's why.

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2010/11/10/1805415/the-curious-index-11-10-2010

[waroriole]

I know, AUsome right?



Sorry, I refuse to take part in any catchy slogans from the "Buster Brown Era.":D Even though '93 was probably the most exciting season I ever witnessed, culminated by this classic, called by Jim Fyffe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8sZ26wemHo

BTW, how awesome was Jim Fyffe? I tried to embed this, but it wouldn't take.

[waroriole]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5786315

More allegations against the Camburglar...

That's actually pretty funny. However, I think if you look closer at all of these stories, you see major inconsistencies and shoddy reporting.

The first story said that Kenny Rogers called John Bond to tell him what it would cost to get Cam. Well, Bond's attorney said that he never talked to Rogers, a claim that Rogers corroborated.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/14267701/consider-the-source-on-newton-story


"John Bond never named Kenny Rogers," Abernathy (Bond's Attorney) told me, implying that ESPN.com and The New York Times had erred in their reporting.



Here's what Bond told the WCNN radio show, Buck and Kincade, when he was asked about getting an offer from Rogers:

"Actually, there were two people in between it but, basically, yes, that's what happened."

So, Bond admits that there were two people in between himself and Rogers. And, these two guys did not, or have not been shown to, represent Mississippi State or Cam Newton.

The second story, about Cam cheating, has also been refuted by people who actually bothered to look into this. Even if he did, this wouldn't impact his eligibility at Auburn. This allegation just screams smear job, by the hack "journalist" who wrote it and the man who let Cam go. You know his name. Rivals hears a different story from the guy at foxsports

http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1150363


Two independent sources with detailed knowledge of the UF academic discipline system during the period in question have disputed the Evans story. According to the sources, no allegations of academic impropriety regarding Cam Newton were sent to the Florida Student Conduct Committee at any time either during or after Newton's time at UF.

"Nothing was reported, officially or unofficially" says one source, who did not wish to be identified. "The formal process is for allegations to go through the Student Conduct Committee. If [any allegations against Newton] didn't follow that process, then they didn't follow the rules."

So, the first two stories, have been shown to be wrong; or at the very least deemed unreliable due to factual inconsistencies. Yet, these people keep coming back with more stories, like the one last night. This "new" story is basically regurgitating the first one. Only, it doesn't even provide a name as to who is disclosing this. At least the first story put Bond's name out there.

Is there some massive conspiracy between these reporters and whoever is behind this? No. Is this a case of "journalists" not getting their facts together before publishing a story so they can scoop the competition? It sure seems like it. Is this a case of a hack writer at foxsports trying to wage a smear campaign in the hopes that people will notice him? It seems like it.

[CrimsonTribe]

Per Finebaum's twitter:


ESPN Dallas' Ian Fitzimmons is reporting that within 3-4 hours the NCAA is going to suspend Cam Newton.

http://twitter.com/#!/finebaum/status/2407473692549120

EDIT: Dangit, false alarm.


WJOX Jim Dunaway has spoken with ESPN Dallas' Ian Fitzimmons and apparently he claims he isn't reporting that Newton will be suspended.

http://twitter.com/#!/finebaum/status/2411949048467456


Just talked to Ian, he said on air, "With this story, something big could happen in 3-4 hours." Blogger ran with quote as news.

http://twitter.com/#!/ClayTravisBGID/status/2412030669627392

[waroriole]

Per Finebaum's twitter:



http://twitter.com/#!/finebaum/status/2407473692549120

EDIT: Dangit, false alarm.



http://twitter.com/#!/finebaum/status/2411949048467456



http://twitter.com/#!/ClayTravisBGID/status/2412030669627392

You'd think you might have learned something about the nature of "reporting" with this story.

[CrimsonTribe]

That's actually pretty funny. However, I think if you look closer at all of these stories, you see major inconsistencies and shoddy reporting.

The first story said that Kenny Rogers called John Bond to tell him what it would cost to get Cam. Well, Bond's attorney said that he never talked to Rogers, a claim that Rogers corroborated.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/14267701/consider-the-source-on-newton-story






So, Bond admits that there were two people in between himself and Rogers. And, these two guys did not, or have not been shown to, represent Mississippi State or Cam Newton.

The second story, about Cam cheating, has also been refuted by people who actually bothered to look into this. Even if he did, this wouldn't impact his eligibility at Auburn. This allegation just screams smear job, by the hack "journalist" who wrote it and the man who let Cam go. You know his name. Rivals hears a different story from the guy at foxsports

http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1150363



So, the first two stories, have been shown to be wrong; or at the very least deemed unreliable due to factual inconsistencies. Yet, these people keep coming back with more stories, like the one last night. This "new" story is basically regurgitating the first one. Only, it doesn't even provide a name as to who is disclosing this. At least the first story put Bond's name out there.

Is there some massive conspiracy between these reporters and whoever is behind this? No. Is this a case of "journalists" not getting their facts together before publishing a story so they can scoop the competition? It sure seems like it. Is this a case of a hack writer at foxsports trying to wage a smear campaign in the hopes that people will notice him? It seems like it.

First, the cheating article was refuted by AuburnSports.com, hardly unbiased.

Second, the new ESPN story doesn't regurgitate the first one at all. It references direct conversations with Cecil and Cam Newton about being paid to play football. The original ESPN story involved a third party trying to solicit money on their behalf, something they could refute by saying that the third party was acting alone.

[CrimsonTribe]

You'd think you might have learned something about the nature of "reporting" with this story.

I have a pretty good feeling that we'll see the fire behind this smoke sooner than later. You and all the other Barners can sit around and criticize the "shoddy" journalism all you want, but there's obviously something behind the pure volume of the reports.

[waroriole]

I have a pretty good feeling that we'll see the fire behind this smoke sooner than later. You and all the other Barners can sit around and criticize the "shoddy" journalism all you want, but there's obviously something behind the pure volume of the reports.

I really don't understand the fascination of Alabama fans with this story. I think it just goes to show the pettiness of the majority of their fanbase. Their team is not as good as they were supposed to be, so now they are hoping that Auburn gets brought down. It's kind of sad, but to each his own.

[CrimsonTribe]

I really don't understand the fascination of Alabama fans with this story. I think it just goes to show the pettiness of the majority of their fanbase. Their team is not as good as they were supposed to be, so now they are hoping that Auburn gets brought down. It's kind of sad, but to each his own.

You act like Auburn fans didn't take pleasure when Alabama got nailed.

Here's the simple formula: We don't like Auburn + bad things happening to Auburn = Schadenfreude to the max.

[waroriole]

You act like Auburn fans didn't take pleasure when Alabama got nailed.

Here's the simple formula: We don't like Auburn + bad things happening to Auburn = Schadenfreude to the max.

I know that I really don't care when Alabama gets in trouble with the NCAA. I just want to kick the crap out of them every chance we get. But like I said, to each his own.

[CrimsonTribe]

I know that I really don't care when Alabama gets in trouble with the NCAA. I just want to kick the crap out of them every chance we get. But like I said, to each his own.

Well, I hope the view from the high road is nice.

[waroriole]

Well, I hope the view from the high road is nice.

It's nice, there is always room for more people too.;)

[Big Mac]

I really don't understand the fascination of Alabama fans with this story. I think it just goes to show the pettiness of the majority of their fanbase. Their team is not as good as they were supposed to be, so now they are hoping that Auburn gets brought down. It's kind of sad, but to each his own.

It's not just Alabama fans, the whole country is fascinated with this story.

You act like major allegations against the Heisman trophy front-runner isn't noteworthy.

[Dr. FLK]

Vegas is pulling the odds (http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/11/auburn-georgia_odds_dropped_in.html) on the upcoming Auburn game because some of them believe there's a good chance Cam Newton doesn't play this week. This is getting interesting...and I hate Bama. So, there goes the 'only Bama fans are following this story' idea...

[waroriole]

It's not just Alabama fans, the whole country is fascinated with this story.

You act like major allegations against the Heisman trophy front-runner isn't noteworthy.


Vegas is pulling the odds (http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/11/auburn-georgia_odds_dropped_in.html) on the upcoming Auburn game because some of them believe there's a good chance Cam Newton doesn't play this week. This is getting interesting...and I hate Bama. So, there goes the 'only Bama fans are following this story' idea...

I don't recall ever saying that it was just Alabama fans. I pointed out that the interest from Bama fans is astonishing. They seem to be more concerned about this than Auburn fans. That's my point.

As far as it being noteworthy, of course it is. What I've been saying for the most part is that 2 of the 3 stories have already been shown to have major factual problems, yet they have yet to retract the falsehoods. It's a prime example of how shoddy this reporting has been.

Also FLK, I'm sure you noticed in the story that you cited that this was not an uncommon practice. And, that the reason they are doing this is because new "information" keeps coming out.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Also FLK, I'm sure you noticed in the story that you cited that this was not an uncommon practice. And, that the reason they are doing this is because new "information" keeps coming out.

I'm not sure what that has to do with what he said.

[McNulty]

This is what happens when you get mixed up with Gator players.

[waroriole]

And now the 3rd story has questions too.


SEC spokesman Charles Bloom confirmed MSU's account. He also said there was no mention of the reported conversations in either of the school's reports to the league. He declined to comment further.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/2010-11-10-cam-newton-mississipppi-state_N.htm

I don't know what happened here, but these people need to get their stories straight before coming out with any more info. Stop worrying about scooping people and just get the story right. Of course, maybe MSU didn't report the conversations because it casts them in a negative light.

[CrimsonTribe]

Team Speed Kills (SEC blog on SBNation) put together a great, un-biased recap of everything that has happened so far.

http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/11/10/1805740/the-claims-sources-and-denials-of-the-cameron-newton-saga

[CrimsonTribe]

Kenny Rogers just rolled on Cecil Newton on Dallas 103.3 FM. They just replayed it on Finebaum. He said that Cecil Newton stated that it would take $100K to $180K to sign his son. So Rogers basically just did a total 180 on his denial from last Friday. So many shady characters in this ordeal. It appears that Kenny Rogers was only the broker for MSU. Still no direct link to Auburn.

EDIT: And if you don't believe me:


On ESPN 103.3 in Dallas, Kenny Rogers quotes Cecil Newton, "It's not going to be free this time." Wanted $100k-180k from Miss. St. 12 min ago via web

http://twitter.com/#!/Ivan_Maisel/status/2825390208847872

[waroriole]

Kenny Rogers just rolled on Cecil Newton on Dallas 103.3 FM. They just replayed it on Finebaum. He said that Cecil Newton stated that it would take $100K to $180K to sign his son. So Rogers basically just did a total 180 on his denial from last Friday. So many shady characters in this ordeal. It appears that Kenny Rogers was only the broker for MSU. Still no direct link to Auburn.

EDIT: And if you don't believe me:



http://twitter.com/#!/Ivan_Maisel/status/2825390208847872

For whatever reason, this one has me a little concerned. It doesn't implicate Auburn at all, but it could lead to Cam being ineligible. That said, this guy said something completely different the other day. Why did he suddenly change his story, and go on air to tell everyone about it? Ugghhh, the saga continues.

[CrimsonTribe]

For whatever reason, this one has me a little concerned. It doesn't implicate Auburn at all, but it could lead to Cam being ineligible. That said, this guy said something completely different the other day. Why did he suddenly change his story, and go on air to tell everyone about it? Ugghhh, the saga continues.

Basically, the solicitation of benefits makes him ineligible the moment of the solicitation. So, if this is true, Auburn will have to vacate all its wins and Cam's career is over. I'd be very nervous about that. From Scarbinsky's column:


NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn told The Birmingham News by email that "the solicitation of cash or benefits by a prospective student-athlete or another individual on his or her behalf is not allowed under NCAA rules."

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/11/kenny_rogers_says_he_witnessed.html

I agree that Rogers's credibility is not the best right now after his vehement denial on Friday, but I bet he thought he could still keep it under wraps then. With more and more info coming out, he was probably advised to come clean (he had his lawyer on the line with him on the radio). Plus, his new story pretty much corroborates the original ESPN and NYT reports.

The question after that becomes whether Auburn ended up paying for Newton, which seems like a pretty likely proposition. Cecil Newton apparently thought he could get a deal with MSU and Cam was all prepared to go there, then suddenly Cecil switched schools. Whether or not a payment from Auburn can be proved or not is a big question, but you never know if the NCAA will hit them with the old "lack of institutional control" stick.

[waroriole]

Basically, the solicitation of benefits makes him ineligible the moment of the solicitation. So, if this is true, Auburn will have to vacate all its wins and Cam's career is over. I'd be very nervous about that. From Scarbinsky's column:



http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/11/kenny_rogers_says_he_witnessed.html

I agree that Rogers's credibility is not the best right now after his vehement denial on Friday, but I bet he thought he could still keep it under wraps then. With more and more info coming out, he was probably advised to come clean (he had his lawyer on the line with him on the radio). Plus, his new story pretty much corroborates the original ESPN and NYT reports.

The question after that becomes whether Auburn ended up paying for Newton, which seems like a pretty likely proposition. Cecil Newton apparently thought he could get a deal with MSU and Cam was all prepared to go there, then suddenly Cecil switched schools. Whether or not a payment from Auburn can be proved or not is a big question, but you never know if the NCAA will hit them with the old "lack of institutional control" stick.

Yeah, that is the site I've been following all of this on. Of course, how do you prove that Rogers is telling the truth? The only other people that can corroborate his story are Cecil and the MSU coaches. Cecil isn't going to do that, and neither will the MSU coaches, because if they do they will have to answer questions as to why this wasn't included in any report to the SEC and why they continued to recruit him afterwards.

I don't really know what "lack of institutional control" means, but I would think that they would still need alot more proof than what they have.

All this said, every report so far has been pretty well disputed, so I'll wait to see what happens with this.

Also, I still don't see why Rogers would come clean like this in public. If you come clean, you do it to the investigators, not some random radio host.

[CrimsonTribe]

Yeah, that is the site I've been following all of this on. Of course, how do you prove that Rogers is telling the truth? The only other people that can corroborate his story are Cecil and the MSU coaches. Cecil isn't going to do that, and neither will the MSU coaches, because if they do they will have to answer questions as to why this wasn't included in any report to the SEC and why they continued to recruit him afterwards.

I don't really know what "lack of institutional control" means, but I would think that they would still need alot more proof than what they have.

All this said, every report so far has been pretty well disputed, so I'll wait to see what happens with this.

Also, I still don't see why Rogers would come clean like this in public. If you come clean, you do it to the investigators, not some random radio host.

Apparently John Bond is now saying that he did have contact with Kenny Rogers and has the phone records to prove it. This stuff keeps going around in circles. No linky, heard it on Finebaum.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Is there any group of people rooting for Cam to be declared ineligible more than TCU fans?*

*Not counting Tide backers, of course

[BaltimoreTerp]

Is there any group of people rooting for Cam to be declared ineligible more than TCU fans?*

*Not counting Tide backers, of course

Boise? :laughlol:

[Pedro Cerrano]

Boise? :laughlol:

I believe TCU recently passed them so I gotta believe this late in the season that TCU would hold the advantage if they both win out.

[CrimsonTribe]

Looks like Bill Bell corroborated Kenny Rogers' story:


Rogers said he was referred to a Mississippi State booster named Bill Bell. Rogers said he left Bell a message telling him he was with Cecil Newton, who wanted to know if the deal was going to happen.

Bell, when contacted Thursday night by ESPN.com, confirmed Cecil Newton did ask for money in exchange for Cam Newton signing with Mississippi State. Bell said he was contacted by the NCAA about the matter and spoke to an investigator earlier this week.

"That's all I want to say about it at this point," Bell said.

Bell, a Florida resident, was an offensive lineman at Mississippi State in the early 1980s and played with Rogers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5792707

[scottbbfm]

It comes down to this: Did Kenny Rogers try to extort money from MSU by using the Newtons?

Or did the Newtons utilize KR's connections to get paid.

You have KR saying there was a meeting with Newton Sr and two coaches to discuss this, two people who 'recruit' for MSU that are widely assumed to be coaches saying there were phone calls discussing this.

You have Bond saying it was KR extorting.

You also have Stoops and Kiffen stating there was nothing odd when they were recruiting Cam at Oklahoma/UT.

KR is being investigated by the NFLPA for all kinds of things, including misrepresentation.

NOW - as of Friday around 2:15ET you have multiple sources stating that
When CBS asked Auburn about Cam's eligibility this weekend AU's official response was "no comment".
This from Tracy Wolfson's Twitter - who is likely in town since CBS is broadcasting the game tomorrow.

[waroriole]

If it turns out that he took money, what a punch in the gut it will be. I'd equate it to when you were a kid and your favorite wrestler turned into a bad guy.:(

[CrimsonTribe]

Latest w/ Cam Newton: NCAA has made Auburn aware of potential eligibility issue. Now Auburn decides whether to risk playing him. Their risk.

http://twitter.com/#!/YahooSportsNFL/status/3194245544415233

Helluva risk.

[Pedro Cerrano]

http://twitter.com/#!/YahooSportsNFL/status/3194245544415233

Helluva risk.

Sarcasm? At this point they have to play him and pray that he's vindicated.

If they don't play him they probably lose (and will definitely lose at least once or twice the rest of the way) and they'll still have to vacate all their other wins if he's declared ineligible.

If they do play him and they win out, everything else would have been vacated anyway.

[CrimsonTribe]

Sarcasm? At this point they have to play him and pray that he's vindicated.

If they don't play him they probably lose (and will definitely lose at least once or twice the rest of the way) and they'll still have to vacate all their other wins if he's declared ineligible.

If they do play him and they win out, everything else would have been vacated anyway.

I agree that it's the only thing they can do for the 2010 season, but I think it's a risk to the Auburn program as a whole beyond 2010.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I agree that it's the only thing they can do for the 2010 season, but I think it's a risk to the Auburn program as a whole beyond 2010.

If he plays right now?

If I'm in charge at Auburn, he's playing until he is declared ineligible. Period. None of this "potential eligibility issue" crap.

First off, using that as a reason would bench 90% of all BCS-conference players :p

Second, if the NCAA attempts to use games played after this "notification" as justification for further punishment beyond simply using an ineligible player, I'm throwing every legal resource my school has at them. Either he is eligible or ineligible, so until he is declared the latter he is the former and should be treated as such.

[Big Mac]

If it turns out that he took money, what a punch in the gut it will be. I'd equate it to when you were a kid and your favorite wrestler turned into a bad guy.:(

Honestly, the bad guy in all of this is Cecil Newton...I can at least sympathize with Cam.

If the stories are true, Cecil Newton is one of the worst people in the world.

[Birds of B'more]

Sarcasm? At this point they have to play him and pray that he's vindicated.

If they don't play him they probably lose (and will definitely lose at least once or twice the rest of the way) and they'll still have to vacate all their other wins if he's declared ineligible.

If they do play him and they win out, everything else would have been vacated anyway.

I'm surprised Auburn was so tight-lipped about whether he'd play. If you're Auburn, the choice at this point is obvious. Until he is declared ineligible, you keep playing him and hope for the best. There is no point in doing otherwise.

[ShaneDawg85]

FWIW, Newton is playing today against Georgia, and Auburn is having one tough time with the Bulldogs. 28-28 about midway through the 3rd quarter.

[Birds of B'more]

FWIW, Newton is playing today against Georgia, and Auburn is having one tough time with the Bulldogs. 28-28 about midway through the 3rd quarter.

Auburn just scored to take a 35-28 lead. Had they sat Newton, they might well be losing. The Tigers are "all in" at this point in the season....and there's no other way for them to play it.

[waroriole]

Paid or not, he is the most impressive college football player I've ever seen.

War Eagle!!!!

[CrimsonTribe]

Paid or not, he is the most impressive college football player I've ever seen.

War Eagle!!!!

Cam Newton:Most Impressive::Nick Fairley:Dirtiest (http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/video-fairley-bloodies-uga-qb-with-facemask-29242).

[ShaneDawg85]

Cam Newton:Most Impressive::Nick Fairley:Dirtiest (http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/video-fairley-bloodies-uga-qb-with-facemask-29242).

Wow. Even if you think the chin scraping was incidental, there's no excusing that helmet shot to the back. He should be suspended from the Iron Bowl for crap like that.

[waroriole]

Cam Newton:Most Impressive::Nick Fairley:Dirtiest (http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/video-fairley-bloodies-uga-qb-with-facemask-29242).

I admit that those two plays were bad, but THUGA had been going after him the whole game. Then, at the end they all try to jump on him, and the officials just let it happen. No THUGA player is ejected. Typical Mark Richt.

The second Fairley hit really pissed me off, because we could have got off the field, and I believe they got a FG on that drive.

[CrimsonTribe]

Wow. Even if you think the chin scraping was incidental, there's no excusing that helmet shot to the back. He should be suspended from the Iron Bowl for crap like that.

There were more instances than just those. He also drove Murray into the ground on a sack and knocked him out of the game at the end with a helmet to the knee.


I admit that those two plays were bad, but THUGA had been going after him the whole game. Then, at the end they all try to jump on him, and the officials just let it happen. No THUGA player is ejected. Typical Mark Richt.

The second Fairley hit really pissed me off, because we could have got off the field, and I believe they got a FG on that drive.

Obviously it's going to be no surprise coming from me, but I think UGA had every right to give him the business at the end. His dirty play all game culminated in him possibly knocking their star freshman QB out for the season. There were at least four different dirty plays to point to throughout the game and probably more and the refs basically did nothing other than call a personal foul on the most egregious one.

You're probably going to say that the helmet to the knee at the end was not intentionally dirty, but Fairley's play all year, and in this game in particular, leaves him without the benefit of the doubt in my mind. Further, you can see at the end of that video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhl66fjqlI) that he's being blocked to the right of Murray, but angles himself to the left just enough at the end to throw his helmet into Murray's knee.

[waroriole]

There were more instances than just those. He also drove Murray into the ground on a sack and knocked him out of the game at the end with a helmet to the knee.

You're probably going to say that the helmet to the knee at the end was not intentionally dirty, but Fairley's play all year, and in this game in particular, leaves him without the benefit of the doubt in my mind. Further, you can see at the end of that video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhl66fjqlI) that he's being blocked to the right of Murray, but angles himself to the left just enough at the end to throw his helmet into Murray's knee.

That last play wasn't even close to dirty. He got blocked into the QB, and kept going. As far as the driving him into the ground, they don't call that in college football. Jeez, I thought this was a man's game. I guess we'll need to make sure that McElroy has flags on his hips.

[CrimsonTribe]

That last play wasn't even close to dirty. He got blocked into the QB, and kept going. As far as the driving him into the ground, they don't call that in college football. Jeez, I thought this was a man's game. I guess we'll need to make sure that McElroy has flags on his hips.

You've got your head buried in the sand if you can't see how that last hit is dirty. He's being blocked around--not into--Murray and tilts his head so that he can hit Murray's knee.

And don't give me this man's game crap. It's obvious to everyone but Auburn fans that Fairley is out there intentionally trying to injure people with unnecessary cheapshots.

[waroriole]

You've got your head buried in the sand if you can't see how that last hit is dirty. He's being blocked around--not into--Murray and tilts his head so that he can hit Murray's knee.

And don't give me this man's game crap. It's obvious to everyone but Auburn fans that Fairley is out there intentionally trying to injure people with unnecessary cheapshots.

I admit that the two hits you posted were dirty, but that last play was not. Also, if you didn't see the THUGA players going after Fairley all game, then you must not have watched.

[CrimsonTribe]

Not sure how relevant it is to the Cam eligibility issue, but now the FBI is asking about Uncle Milty. Can't be seen as a good thing.


According to sources connected to the probe ... FBI agents looking into the Newton recruiting controversy are also asking about Milton McGregor -- a dog track owner arrested last month for allegedly bribing Alabama politicians to vote pro gambling.

We're told agents asked someone connected to the Newton case if he was familiar with McGregor or the bribery scandal.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/17/cam-newton-fbi-investigation-probe-auburn-university-booster-milton-mcgregor-sec-football-ncaa/

[McNulty]

I admit that the two hits you posted were dirty, but that last play was not. Also, if you didn't see the THUGA players going after Fairley all game, then you must not have watched.

That third play was dirty dude.

[Hawkigizer]

Well, whatdya know...Cam is officially cleared by the NCAA and deemed eligible.

Sorry Bammers.

I believe I'll give this thread the 30 Rock treatment and say SHUT IT DOWN.

War Eagle.

[waroriole]

Well, whatdya know...Cam is officially cleared by the NCAA and deemed eligible.

Sorry Bammers.

I believe I'll give this thread the 30 Rock treatment and say SHUT IT DOWN.

War Eagle.

But..........but ESPN said, and Paul Finebaum said..................whhhhaaaahhhhh:beerchug1:

[CrimsonTribe]

Well, whatdya know...Cam is officially cleared by the NCAA and deemed eligible.

Sorry Bammers.

I believe I'll give this thread the 30 Rock treatment and say SHUT IT DOWN.

War Eagle.

I wouldn't shut it down just yet. I feel confident more will come out eventually.


"Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. "From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation . . . Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5870788

Also, sweet precedent NCAA.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Well, whatdya know...Cam is officially cleared by the NCAA and deemed eligible.

Sorry Bammers.

I believe I'll give this thread the 30 Rock treatment and say SHUT IT DOWN.

War Eagle.

To be fair, he WAS declared ineligible...for about eighteen hours :laughlol:

Good to hear he wasn't directly involved in anything.

[Majin Buu]

Mike Leach anyone ?

http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5871633

[Majin Buu]

Mike Leach anyone ?

http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5871633

My mistake. I thought this was the Miami forum.

[Majin Buu]

My mistake. I thought this was the Miami forum.

Oh, by the way "War Cam Eagle" for bringing me some cash in the SEC championship game!

[Big Mac]

Great Article...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5872192&sportCat=ncf

[PeteCanes]

Great Article...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5872192&sportCat=ncf

Heh, the NCAhypoGreat timo D-...A-A, would never spear their cash cow.

[waroriole]

Great Article...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5872192&sportCat=ncf

It seems like everyone forgot the precedent set by the Albert Means (you remember him) case. Bama paid him $200K, he was still allowed to play after transferring to Memphis. Rules also state that you can't play if you've been paid, yet Means was allowed to play.

Cam didn't get paid, didn't know anything about it, so why didn't Wojciechowski write his outraged article when Means was allowed to play? Oh right, his employer hadn't already made a huge deal about it, and now needs to cover the rears.

[Dr. FLK]

So all schools have to do now is pay the parents and make sure the kid pretends not to know? This seems rather ridiculous to me. Somehow Bush got nailed for his parents receiving benefits, and the investigation took forever. Cam is ineligible for 7 minutes and says "I know nothing"...very odd.

[Hawkigizer]

Hey I can post articles that are on my side too!!! (Except these are actually logic based.)

http://blogs.ajc.com/barnhart-college-football/2010/12/02/why-the-ncaa-got-it-right-in-the-cameron-newton-case/?cxntfid=blogs_barnhart_college_football

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/12/scarbinsky_au_ncaa_get_it_righ.html


So all schools have to do now is pay the parents and make sure the kid pretends not to know? This seems rather ridiculous to me. Somehow Bush got nailed for his parents receiving benefits, and the investigation took forever. Cam is ineligible for 7 minutes and says "I know nothing"...very odd.


Ugh. You are aware that despite an ongoing NCAA AND FBI investigation, there is no proof money ever changed hands (or was even agreed upon to change hands). That's the difference...duh. It's not like the NCAA is just looking the other way on this...they were kind of forced to make a call now with the Heisman stuff, and of course championships involved. And based on their facts now, there's nothing else they could do.

Clearly, this isn't over. More could come out. But based on what is known now, the NCAA got this right. There is really no way to argue that fact. Anything else is just sour grapes.

Now, the impact this could have on recruiting is another story. But even that, I believe, is being throwin out of proportion.

[Big Mac]

Everyone in the country except Auburn fans believes the NCAA made the wrong call. That should tell you all you need to know right there.

Also, I'm not buying that Cam knew nothing. What happened to the reports of Cam saying "the money was too much..."??? Something isn't right here....

[waroriole]

Everyone in the country except Auburn fans believes the NCAA made the wrong call. That should tell you all you need to know right there.

Also, I'm not buying that Cam knew nothing. What happened to the reports of Cam saying "the money was too much..."??? Something isn't right here....

I wouldn't say everyone. I would say ESPN and bitter Bama fans.

As far as the "report" on Cam saying the money was too much, I'm sure that is more BS ESPN "reporting." Maybe Joe Schoddy

[BaltimoreTerp]

I wouldn't say everyone. I would say ESPN and bitter Bama fans.

As far as the "report" on Cam saying the money was too much, I'm sure that is more BS ESPN "reporting." Maybe Joe Schoddy

Actually, though I'm still happy he wasn't directly involved, the more I think about it the more I worry that this is a dangerous precedent. Especially for an investigation that is not completed.

[waroriole]

I wonder if anyone, whether here or on ESPN, is going to admit the Albert Means case established the precedent.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I wonder if anyone, whether here or on ESPN, is going to admit the Albert Means case established the precedent.


It seems like everyone forgot the precedent set by the Albert Means (you remember him) case. Bama paid him $200K, he was still allowed to play after transferring to Memphis. Rules also state that you can't play if you've been paid, yet Means was allowed to play.

Means was forced to leave Alabama. Newton hasn't been forced to do anything*. So I'm not sure why he set "the precedent" as opposed to being simply a predecessor to this situation.

*No matter what, Newton wasn't going to be hurt at all. He's draft-eligible, so even had he been found ineligible, and even if this still leads to major fallout for Auburn, he just goes pro as a high-round pick. That's probably what his father was thinking the whole time.

[waroriole]

Means was forced to leave Alabama. Newton hasn't been forced to do anything*. So I'm not sure why he set "the precedent" as opposed to being simply a predecessor to this situation.

*No matter what, Newton wasn't going to be hurt at all. He's draft-eligible, so even had he been found ineligible, and even if this still leads to major fallout for Auburn, he just goes pro as a high-round pick. That's probably what his father was thinking the whole time.

It's not a direct comparison, but if Means is allowed to play, after it was determined he was paid by Alabama; then why are people up in arms that Newton is allowed to play when it hasn't been determined that he was paid anything? If anything, the Means situation is much worse, and I don't recall anyone making a huge deal out of him being allowed to play.

[Big Mac]

I wouldn't say everyone. I would say ESPN and bitter Bama fans.

As far as the "report" on Cam saying the money was too much, I'm sure that is more BS ESPN "reporting." Maybe Joe Schoddy

So they are just making it up? Come on you can't be that delusional.

I'm so sick of the whole "everyone is lying and we are angels" attitude by Auburn.

I don't know how at fault Auburn is in this situation, but I have a hard time believing Cam switched from Miss St to Auburn days after his commitment, without even visiting Auburn or showing any interest in them, and Auburn wasn't involved in any dirt. The whole situation is dirty and fishy and I think once the NCAA really completes the investigation a lot of people are going to be in a lot of trouble.

As far as 'bitter Bama fans', I'm not bitter, I can wipe my tears with my 13 national titles.

Now I will say this, if you guys beat South Carolina (big if), you will roll over Oregon. They simply can't match up with Auburn. Small, speedy teams don't match up well against SEC teams.

[waroriole]

As far as 'bitter Bama fans', I'm not bitter, I can wipe my tears with my 13 national titles.



Ahh, the ole 13 mythical national championships. If we want to play that game, Auburn has been given a national championship (from whatever sources) 8 times.

Also, I don't think they are making it up, but I do think that they rushed to print without checking their sources properly. I'm sure the NCAA has more information than these so called reporters, and they said Cam is clear to play. Doesn't mean they won't find out more later, but they sure don't have it now.

[CrimsonTribe]

I wonder if anyone, whether here or on ESPN, is going to admit the Albert Means case established the precedent.

SBNation's SEC Blog addressed it (http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/12/2/1849628/cam-newton-investigation-why-the-ncaa-got-it-wrong):


And I know I'm not the first one to say this, but it bears repeating as often as possible: If this remains the end of the fallout from the Newton recruitment, the Association has not created a massive new loophole in the rules. It has thrown the rulebook out completely.

Non-Auburn fans by and large have voiced that very concern in the wake of this decision. Meanwhile, at least one Auburncentric outlet is bring up Albert Means (how convenient) to say that the precedent here has already been set (http://auburn.scout.com/2/1027309.html).


You see Memphis wasn’t involved in any illegal recruiting of Means and he nor his family got any extra benefits. Therefore he was able to play for the Tigers after sitting out a year because of the transfer. Even though money exchanged hands in the Means case, he was still able to play at Memphis.

Well, yes, that's a precedent -- if you ignore the whole "facts of the case" thing. First, there appears to have been no direct benefit to Means or his family in the recruitment of Means, nor any talk of direct benefit to Means or his family. Whether the prospect or his family is involved in the effort to receive benefits would, I think, be something of interest to the NCAA.

Second, Albert Means transferred to Memphis not just after the rules violations had occurred, but after they had been discovered. In other words, Albert Means did not decide to play at Memphis as part of the same recruitment that sparked the NCAA investigation.

Auburn was recruiting Cam Newton at the same time that Mississippi State was, which raises this nagging question: If Auburn really did nothing wrong here, did not pay or arrange to pay Cecil Newton anything, why did [Cecil choose Auburn]?

Sports By Brooks (http://sportsbybrooks.com/95-suspended-star-didnt-know-of-dad-benefits-29294)also brings up the precedent of Damon Stoudamire in '95 that the NCAA didn't follow. How convenient.


The Newton situation is not without precedent.

In 1995, the father of Arizona Wildcats basketball star Damon Stoudemire was accused by the NCAA of accepting a plane ticket from an agent. Stoudamire denied knowing of the arrangement while his father, Willie Stoudamire, also denied accepting the ticket.

After the NCAA informed Arizona of its allegation against Stoudamire’s father, the school immediately suspended the star guard while simultaneously filing an emergency appeal with the governing body seeking Stoudamire’s immediate reinstatement.

...

Danny Robbins of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE reported the details of the NCAA’s decision to force Stoudamire to miss a game while possibly injure his team’s March Madness seeding:


Carrie Doyle, NCAA director of eligibility, said the one-game suspension was considered a sufficient penalty. She also said Stoudamire’s father, Willie, had repaid the value of the ticket.

...

Stoudamire’s offense? Once again, from the Houston Chronicle:


(Agent Steve) Feldman has admitted that he wants to represent (Damon) Stoudamire and had provided the (plane) tickets to his father in hopes of representing the son on a professional level. Damon Stoudamire states that he had no knowledge of the relationship between his father and Feldman.

Father Willie Stoudamire never admitted to using the plane tickets. So the NCAA made its judgment based on the integrity of the same agent it was investigating for other impropriety.

So basically, the NCAA took the work of a Kenny Rogers-type without any additional evidence and suspended Stoudamire for the final regular season game, which dropped the team from a 2 seed to a 5 seed in the tourney.

[waroriole]

SBNation's SEC Blog addressed it (http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/12/2/1849628/cam-newton-investigation-why-the-ncaa-got-it-wrong):



Sports By Brooks (http://sportsbybrooks.com/95-suspended-star-didnt-know-of-dad-benefits-29294)also brings up the precedent of Damon Stoudamire in '95 that the NCAA didn't follow. How convenient.



So basically, the NCAA took the work of a Kenny Rogers-type without any additional evidence and suspended Stoudamire for the final regular season game, which dropped the team from a 2 seed to a 5 seed in the tourney.

Yep, the NCAA and Auburn are in cahoots. That is the logical answer, because we all know how much they love Auburn.:rolleyes:

[Big Mac]

Yep, the NCAA and Auburn are in cahoots. That is the logical answer, because we all know how much they love Auburn.:rolleyes:

The way they are handling this case, it certainly seems like they love Auburn.

I will say I am so glad we got to have Greg McElroy as our QB over Newton. Newton is a better player, but McElroy is a Rhodes Scholar finalist and outstanding citizen who's never been involved in any troubles in his career. Basically the opposite of Newton. He also set school records this year for TD passes and shattered the record for completion %, (he has a good chance at the pass yards record as well). The best part is, unlike Newton, he didn't cost any money. McElroy is the type of guy I want leading my team and program, not Newton.

Oh by the way, in case anyone hasn't seen this, here's Newton's record with Alachua County Court System:

https://www.alachuaclerk.org/court_records/gis/index.cfm?section=results

Clearly, trouble follows this guy around.

[backwardsk]

So this is what I heard on the radio yesterday. This is definitely speculation, and if true, I doubt the real story comes out in the near future.

John McMullan, former president and COO of Colonial Bank, is a big Auburn supporter. Colonial Bank had a big presence in Alabama until it failed in 2009. The bank was later sold to BB&T in an FDIC supported deal. Colonial Bank received TARP money (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Colonial Bank was involved in some really shady stuff and are under investigation by the FBI. According to this source, the FBI discovered a slush fund at Colonial that was tied to about 100 ATM cards. These cards were used primarily around campus. There are ATM video of who was withdrawing money. If this has any slice of truth to it, then the Cam Newton story would be the least of Auburn's worries.


Again, I heard this on the Sports Reporters. It could be utter BS, but it's definitely intriguing.

[Big Mac]

So this is what I heard on the radio yesterday. This is definitely speculation, and if true, I doubt the real story comes out in the near future.

John McMullan, former president and COO of Colonial Bank, is a big Auburn supporter. Colonial Bank had a big presence in Alabama until it failed in 2009. The bank was later sold to BB&T in an FDIC supported deal. Colonial Bank received TARP money (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Colonial Bank was involved in some really shady stuff and are under investigation by the FBI. According to this source, the FBI discovered a slush fund at Colonial that was tied to about 100 ATM cards. These cards were used primarily around campus. There are ATM video of who was withdrawing money. If this has any slice of truth to it, then the Cam Newton story would be the least of Auburn's worries.


Again, I heard this on the Sports Reporters. It could be utter BS, but it's definitely intriguing.

I've heard various rumors about things like this as well. The basic thing I keep hearing is that the whole scandal is much bigger than Cam Newton...who knows what is true we will see. The point is there is a lot of smoke here and this story is FAR from being over.

[Hawkigizer]

Yes. It's all BS. Those same rumors about the Colonial Bank being involved also included the rumor that Milton McGregor (Auburn booster currently being investigated by FBI about a separate matter) was caught on an FBI wire tap talking about the pay for play scheme. While the FBI does have tape of him dealing with their other investigation, they have stated that none of it has anything to do with Cam Newton, Auburn, or any pay-for-play thing. Funny how after that, his name completely disappeared from all these rumors going around. Clearly people are grasping for straws.

How about all the Dodge Chargers Bama football players are driving around Tuscaloosa? The fall out from that has been rumored for a while now, and there's plenty of internet rumors that make it seem pretty legit that there's something to it. There's definitely plenty of smoke there considering the ties members of the Red Elephant Club have to a certain Gadsden Dodge car dealership. Now nothing will ever come of it, but if you were going off the internet rumors, it's certainly seemed inevitable a while back. Point being, if you're hanging on to internet rumors as hope that your biggest rival is about to get busted, then i've got a bridge to sell you. And talk about being dirty...it doesn't get any dirtier than the Red Elephant Club. I'd be ashamed to have a group like that "representing" my university.

Oh, and this:


I have a hard time believing Cam switched from Miss St to Auburn days after his commitment, without even visiting Auburn or showing any interest in them,

Cam never commited to Mississippi St. Ever. He never gave them any kind of official verbal committment. Ever. He committed to Auburn two weeks after his first visit to the Plains, and Auburn had been actively recruiting him for about a month prior (and was actually recruiting a teammate of his at Blinn CC when they first decided to go after him). Try to actually state correct facts if you're trying to make a point, because it makes you look like you're blatantly twisting things.

[CrimsonTribe]

Yep, the NCAA and Auburn are in cahoots. That is the logical answer, because we all know how much they love Auburn.:rolleyes:

You're the one who said no one is addressing the Albert Means "precedent." That's all I did.

And btw, it's not just "bitter" Bammers and ESPN that think this was a ridiculous decision. It's pretty much everyone in college football.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/sports/ncaafootball/03auburn.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jim%20delany&st=cse

[waroriole]

You're the one who said no one is addressing the Albert Means "precedent." That's all I did.

And btw, it's not just "bitter" Bammers and ESPN that think this was a ridiculous decision. It's pretty much everyone in college football.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/sports/ncaafootball/03auburn.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jim%20delany&st=cse

So, how are you distinguishing Means from this case. Neither player got benefits (though Bama did pay someone in Means' case), and each player transferred to a school that wasn't involved in any payment plan. What is the difference?

[CrimsonTribe]

So, how are you distinguishing Means from this case. Neither player got benefits (though Bama did pay someone in Means' case), and each player transferred to a school that wasn't involved in any payment plan. What is the difference?

Did you not read the giant block quote I posted?

[waroriole]

Did you not read the giant block quote I posted?

Yeah, it's very flimsy. We substitute coach for dad. I guess if the coach did it, then there was no way that Means would have known huh? But, if the dad did it, then absolutely Cam knew. Did Means not wonder why his coach was sending him on all these recruiting trips?

The second paragraph is completely meaningless. Why does it matter when he decided to play at Memphis?

The third paragraph is a pretty crappy conclusion. If they don't buy the other crap, I'll just go with the ole "well, prove Auburn didn't do anything wrong." I didn't realize the burden of proof was on the alleged wrongdoer to prove anything.

I still haven't seen any motive for the NCAA to take it easy on Auburn. Why would they do that? If they don't take it easy on Alabama and USC, two of its most important programs, why would they take it easy on Auburn? Maybe because there is no proof? Nah, that couldn't be the case.

[mrbig1]

Auburn has the best team money can buy.:laughlol: